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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
92
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
GLOW PLUGS
Turning the key to MARthe warning light on the reconfigurable multifunction display turns on;
the warning light turns off when the glow plugs have reached the pre-established temperature.
Start the engine as soon as the warning light goes off.
IMPORTANTWith a high environment temperature, the warning light may turn on for an
imperceptible length of time.
WATER IN FUEL OIL FILTER
The message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is
water in the fuel oil filter.
The presence of water in the supply circuit may cause serious dam-
age to the entire injection system and cause irregular engine opera-
tion. If the message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multi-
function display, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible
to have the system relieved.
GLOW PLUG WARMING FAILURE
The message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is a
failure in the glow plug warming system. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as pos-
sible to have the fault eliminated.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
93
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
The message on the display is shown when the inertial fuel cut-off switch is triggered, on some
versions together with the warning light.
If after the display of the message the smell of fuel or leaks from the
supply system are noted, do not re-engage the switch to avoid the risk
of fire.
ENGINE OIL SENSOR FAILURE
The message is shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is a failure to the
engine oil level sensor. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible to have the
fault eliminated.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
97
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED
On some versions the warning light turns on, together with the message on the display and the
sounding of the buzzer, when the vehicle exceeds the speed limit set previously (see the
“Reconfigurable multifunction display” chapter).
K
FUEL RESERVE
The warning light on the dial turns on (on some versions the message + symbol are shown on
the reconfigurable multifunction display) when about 7 litres of fuel are left in the tank and on
certain versions when autonomy is below 50 km.
AUTONOMY (TRIP COMPUTER)
The message + symbol are shown on the reconfigurable multifunction display when autonomy
is below 50 km.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
This is shown on the reconfigurable multifunction display 2000 km from the deadline given in
the Scheduled Maintenance Programme (every 20,000 km) and it is shown again at timed inter-
vals, turning the ignition key to MARevery 200 km.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
125
If no leaks are found the vehicle can be
restarted. Press button (A) to activate the
fuel supply system again.
fig. 115
A0A0092b
If a smell of fuel is noted
following an accident, or
the fuel system is leaking,
to avoid the risk of fire do not re-
set the switch.REAR FOG GUARDS (fig. 114)
These are turned on, with the dipped beam
headlights or fog lights on, pressing button
(D) on the centre console panel, at the
same time the warning light on the button
itself turns on.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe fog
guards are automatically turned off and they
do not come on the next time the engine
is started unless button (D) is pressed. To
turn them off press button (D).
IMPORTANTAlways use the rear fog
guards in compliance with local regulations.
DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM
(fig. 114)
To lock the doors simultaneously, press but-
ton (E), on the centre console panel, re-
gardless of the position of the ignition key.
The deterrent led turns on as follows:
– with the ignition key at MARglowing
steadily with a yellow light;
– with the ignition key at STOPflash-
ing with a red light (deterrence condition).
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF
SWITCH
(fig. 115)
This is an automatic safety switch, to be
found on the floor next to the driver’s door
pillar, which is triggered in the event of a
crash of a certain magnitude to interrupt the
flow of fuel.
The cutting in of the inertial switch is shown
on the display of the instrument cluster.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
147fig. 149
A0A0707b
Do this only with the car
stationary.
DANGER-SERIOUS IN-
JURY. When carrying out
checks or maintenance op-
erations in the engine compart-
ment, take special care not to bump
the head on the raised bonnet.
If checks are needed in
the engine compartment,
when it is still hot, do not
approach the fan: it might start
working also with the ignition key
removed. Wait for the engine to
cool down.
BONNET
The bonnet opening lever is under the left
end of the dashboard.
To open:
– pull the lever (A-fig. 148) until the
bonnet clicks open.
– press the safety lever (A-fig. 149)
upwards.
– raise the bonnet.
IMPORTANTBonnet raising is aided by
two gas springs. Do not tamper with these
springs and accompany the bonnet while
raising it.
fig. 148
A0A0135b
Do not load the boot
above the permitted max-
imum (see “Technical spec-
ifications”). Also make sure that
the objects contained in the boot
are well secured to prevent them
from being thrown forward, caus-
ing harm to the passengers.
A heavy load that has not
been secured may cause
serious harm to passen-
gers.
If you want to carry re-
serve fuel in a can, follow
legal regulations, only us-
ing a certified can, suitably fastened
to the load securing eyelets. Even
in this way the risk of fire is in-
creased in the case of an accident.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
198
FUEL CAP
The fuel cap (C-fig. 164) is electrically
controlled. To open it, press button (D-
fig. 165); the flap can be opened only
when the engine is off.
The fuel cap (A-fig. 164), accessible af-
ter opening the lid (C), is fitted with a catch
to prevent losing it (B) which fastens it to the
lid.
When refuelling, hook the cap to the de-
vice on the inner flap, as illustrated.
REFUELLING
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol.
To prevent accidentally filling with leaded
petrol, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is of such a size as not to accept the noz-
zle of this type of petrol.
The unleaded petrol octane number
(R.O.N.) used shall not be less than 95.
IMPORTANT An inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful emission at the exhaust,
thus environment pollution.
IMPORTANTNever put leaded petrol,
even in small quantity, in the tank, even if
it is an emergency. This would irreversibly
damage the exhaust gas catalyst.
JTD ENGINES
At low temperatures the degree of fluidi-
ty of fuel oil may become insufficient due to
the formation of paraffins leading to mal-
functioning of the fuel system.
Therefore, to avoid inconveniences, sum-
mer and winter fuel oils are normally dis-
tributed depending on the season.
In the event the car is filled with fuel oil
unsuitable for the using temperature, mix
it with DIESEL MIX additive in the propor-
tions stated on the can, firstly putting the
antifreeze in the tank and then the fuel oil.
The vehicle must only be
filled with fuel oil for mo-
tor vehicles, in compliance
with European Specification
EN590. The use of other products
or mixtures may irreparably dam-
age the engine with invalidation of
the warranty due to the damage
caused. In the event of accidental-
ly filling with another type of fuel,
do not start the engine and empty
the tank. If the engine has been run
even for only a very short time, in
addition to the tank, it is also nec-
essary to empty the whole supply
circuit.
fig. 164
A0A0644b
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
199
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
The devices used to reduce petrol engine
emissions are:
– trivalent catalytic converter (catalytic si-
lencer);
– Lambda sensors;
– anti-evaporation system.
If one or more spark plugs are discon-
nected, do not run the engine, even for a
test.
The devices used to reduce diesel fuel en-
gine emissions are:
– oxidising catalyst;
– exhaust gas re-circulation system
(E. G. R.). Do not go near the fuel
filler with naked flames or
lit cigarettes: danger of
fire. Avoid going too near the fuel
filler with your face, to avoid in-
haling harmful vapours.
In the case of need, only
replace the fuel cap with
another genuine one, or the
efficiency of the fuel vapour re-
covery system could be adversely
affected.
Should it be not possible to open the fuel
flap electrically, use the special cable in the
boot (A-fig. 166) to open it manually.
Due to the high tempera-
tures reached during oper-
ation of the catalytic si-
lencer the vehicle should not be
parked over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.).
fig. 165
A0A0643b
fig. 166
A0A0652b
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising. A little breath-
ing off, while slackening the cap is ab-
solutely normal.
After refuelling, turn the cap clockwise and
close the flap.
IMPORTANTFor your safety, before
starting the engine, also make sure that the
fuel nozzle is correctly inserted in the fuel
distributor.
Page 204 of 307

Never push, tow or
coast start the vehicle.
This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalyst damaging
it irreversibly.
Remember that the
engine brake and power
steering are not opera-
tional until the engine is started,
therefore, much greater effort
than usual is needed on the brake
pedal and steering wheel.CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
202
For cars with tur-
bocharger in particular,
but for all cars in general,
sharp accelerating should be
avoided before switching the
engine off.
A “kick” on the accelerator
serves no purpose, consumes fuel
pointlessly and may cause seri-
ous damage to the turbocharger
impeller bearings.EMERGENCY STARTING
If the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (warning light
Yon the instru-
ment cluster glowing on steadily) emer-
gency starting may be carried out using
the code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
IMPORTANTIf the engine turns off
with the vehicle on the move, the next
time it is started, the Alfa Romeo CODE
warning light may turn on(
Y). In this
case, check that switching off and starting
the engine again with the vehicle station-
ary, the warning light stays off. If not, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOP
position and switch off the engine.
IMPORTANTAfter a tiring journey it is
advisable to let the engine “get its breath
back” allowing it to idle a while to lower
the temperature in the engine compart-
ment.